City to offer performer ‘Baton Bob’ $20,000 to settle lawsuit

City officials reportedly are set to offer well-known Atlanta street performer “Baton Bob” $20,000 to settle a lawsuit in which he claims police violated his rights to free speech.

News outlets have reported that 62-year-old Bob Jamerson, commonly known as Baton Bob, claims police violated his rights when he was arrested in Atlanta nearly two years ago. Jamerson is known for dancing on city sidewalks in costume—usually tutus.

In June 2013, Jamerson donned a white wedding dress and staged a performance he says celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to end the federal gay marriage ban. When officers asked him to leave the area, he refused and kicked officers.

Police arrested Jamerson for simple assault but later dismissed the charges.

The settlement still needs to be approved by the full Atlanta city council.